Doctor charged with sexually assaulting patients

A Blackpool doctor has been charged with sexually assaulting two elderly patients.

Abid Ali, 27, is accused of touching two female patients inappropriately at Stonyhill Medical Practice, on Lytham Road, last year.

Ali, of Old Trafford, Manchester, was working at the surgery in July, when the offences are said to have taken place.

He has been bailed and is due to appear at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court on Februry 18, where he will face two charges of sexual assault.

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “Lancashire Constabulary takes all allegations of a sexual nature extremely seriously and understands how difficult it can be for victims to have the confidence to come forward.

“As a Constabulary, we are committed to investigating sexual offences sensitively but robustly recognising the impact that these types of crimes have on victims.

“We would encourage anyone who has experienced sexual abuse, or who has information about it, to have the confidence to report it to us knowing that we will take it seriously, deal with it sensitively and investigate it thoroughly.”

Anyone with information about the alleged offences is asked to call 101, quoting log number LC-20141003-1091.